Unsane frontman leaves band (?); his new band play first show this week

In what is very surprising news, Unsane frontman Chris Spencer appears to have left the band. They haven't issued an official statement at this time, but Kerrang points to an interview that Chris gave with Italian zine Equilibrio Precario, where Chris says he won't be playing with Unsane anymore, and that his new band Human Impact "will be the only band I see myself playing in for a while" (translated to English by the zine). Chris also left a Facebook comment that Equilibrio Precario captured with a screenshot which reads "Just to clarify, I will not be playing in Unsane anymore. I'm super proud of what we accomplished, but I need to move on. I'd rather end it on a good note than be a slave to something I've always loved."

If Unsane really is done, that would be a bummer and it feels sudden. Their latest album Sterilize came out in 2017 and it was very good, and they did lots of touring last year.

Meanwhile, Chris' new band Human Impact -- which also features Jim Coleman (Cop Shoot Cop), Phil Puleo (Cop Shoot Cop, Swans), and Chris Provdica (Swans) -- will make their live debut on Friday (8/30) at Union Pool in Brooklyn. They're opening for "Half Simian" (the event description says "wink"), and the show also features Ageist (members of Mind Over Matter, Primitive Weapons, etc) and Lapis Lazuli (Kurt Wolf from Pussy Galore, Boss Hog). It's sold out, but maybe there will be tickets at the door?

Chris also mentioned in that interview that Human Impact's debut album is expected in early 2020 via Ipecac Recordings, and that it will have "more of a dynamic range than other stuff I've done. Electronics, samples, a telecaster, giant builds and a more controlled vocal approach." They're planning to tour the US and Europe after the album is out.

Stay tuned for any further updates on Unsane and Human Impact, and see Chris' full interview with Equilibrio Precario and the flyer for the NYC show below.